University of Minnesota Athletics
First Pitch With Katelyn Kemmetmueller
11/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Gophers have a mix of returners and newcomers this season. You know the returners but we have been spending nine weeks introducing you to the newcomers. Our final First Pitch is with Katelyn Kemmetmueller.
Kemmetmueller, from Rogers, Minn., holds high school records for batting average, runs, hits, doubles, triples, RBI, stolen bases, ERA, wins, shutouts and strikeouts. She earned All-Conference honors five times in softball, was named a 2016 Second Team MaxPrep Sports All-American and was the Mississippi 8 Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and MVP in 2015 and 2016.
On top of that Kemmetmueller was named 2016 Minnesota Ms. Softball. She also has varsity letters in cross country and nordic skiing.
Gopher Sports: What does it mean to be playing in your home state?
Katelyn Kemmetmueller: I think that playing in my home state so far has been awesome. I think it is really cool that I get the opportunity to represent Minnesota.
GS: Have you always wanted to be a Gopher?
KK: I always wanted to be a Gopher and I always knew I did not want to go far. Distance was a big thing for me. I am very much a homebody.
GS: What is your best softball accomplishment so far?
KK: I think my best softball accomplishment was this summer when I won Ms. Softball. That was really cool. We were at Target Field up in the suites. I was really excited and surprised.
GS: How was your experience this fall season?
KK: It has been really fun. The team has been great. The older girls have been very helpful with both softball and in school. They are always there to talk to. The coaches are having me work on some things but it has been good.
GS: What are some of those things the coaches are having you work on?
KK: A lot of things with my swing. Just small adjustments. I also started working in the outfield which I have never been before.
GS: How are the team workouts?
KK: They are super fun. It is hard to get up really early but when you get there the intensity makes it way better. Coach Wiley makes it awesome and the team makes it fun.
GS: How have the interactions with your teammates gone so far?
KK: I think we all get along really well and you can talk to anybody about anything. They are all very approachable.
GS: And a couple weeks ago some of the team went out to your farm? How was that?
KK: That was really fun because a lot of them knew I lived on a dairy farm so they were asking if they could come see the animals. Some of them couldn't come so we are going to plan another trip later but it was fun. My mom made a home cooked meal for us so it was a good excuse for me to go home. It was fun to show them where I came from and how I grew up. They all liked it. They liked the baby pigs the best.
We had a blast taking a trip over to @KatelynKemm's farm today! Thanks so much for having us over. #GopherFamily pic.twitter.com/IbHSqU9doU
- Minnesota Softball (@GopherSoftball) October 2, 2016
GS: What is it you love so much about softball?
KK: I love that it is a team game. Whether you are having the best game of your life or the worst game there is either other people with you on the field and on your team that can pick you up.
GS: What are some of your favorite activities outside of softball?
KK: I like to read. I like to go for runs. The rest of the team thinks I am crazy but I was on the cross country team for three years so I like to run. I like watching sports. I like watching football and baseball games. I am sad baseball is over now. It was really fun watching the World Series.
GS: Have you thought about what your walkup song will be this year?
KK: I have been trying to think of one. I know it will be something country. I like "Somethin' Bad" by Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood but I haven't decided yet. That would be one option.
GS: If you could hit a home run off any celebrity who would you pick and why?
KK: I would say Joe Mauer. I had a crush on him for the longest time so I would pick him. Then I would get to meet him so that would be cool.
GS: If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
KK: I feel like I would choose invisibility. I don't really have a reason why. If things weren't going well I could just like disappear.
GS: What is your favorite home cooked meal?
KK: My mom makes really good burgers. We had burgers every Friday night at home.
GS: Funniest teammate?
KK: The one everybody picks. Sydney Dwyer. We are locker buddies and everything she says is funny. She can say stuff with a completely straight face and not laugh.
